Soil Nutrient Analysis in Selectively Logged Brazilian Amazon Forest

This dataset contains detailed soil nutrient measurements from both selectively logged and control areas within the Tapajos National Forest in Brazil. It provides concentrations for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, aluminum, iron, silicon, carbon 13, nitrogen 15, and potassium, plus phosphorus fractionation and bulk density data on clay-dominated oxisols. Collected by NASA as part of the LBA-ECO project, the data originates from a 2003 study.

Use Cases

• Comparing soil nutrient concentrations (Ca, P, Mg, N, K) between logged and undisturbed forest control plots.
• Analyzing phosphorus fractionation data to understand phosphorus availability and cycling in Amazonian oxisols.
• Correlating soil bulk density measurements with nutrient levels to assess soil compaction effects from logging.
• Studying isotopic signatures (carbon 13, nitrogen 15) to trace organic matter and nutrient sources in disturbed ecosystems.

Strengths

• Provides a direct comparison between logged and control areas for multiple key soil nutrients.
• Includes specialized phosphorus fractionation data, offering detailed insight into phosphorus cycling.
• Samples are specifically from clay-dominated oxisols, a major soil type in the Amazon.

Limitations

• Critical metadata such as row count, file size, and specific column names are unavailable from all sources.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026-03-13 (likely an error or placeholder), while NASA Earthdata lists 2003-03-01, casting doubt on data currency.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), LBA-ECO project.

Collection Method

Field sampling and laboratory analysis of soil cores from selectively logged and control areas.

Time Range

2003

Freshness

2003-03-01

Geography

Tapajos National Forest, Para Western Santarem, Brazil.